Date:         Sat, 18 Sep 1999 11:09:05 -0700
Reply-To:     Michael Snow <mwsnow@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Snow <mwsnow@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Model 091 Transmission Question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

In preparation for changing gear oil, I crawl under the van to
discover that I don't have the correct size tools to remove the
drain and fill plugs.  No big deal.  A trip to Sears for more
tools is OK : )

I checked Bentley to decipher the numbers cast into the case.  My
engine is not stock, so I figure it's worth examining the tranny.
The date code is DM14091.  Bentley tells me this is a model 091
transmission built on 14th day of 10th month of 1981 (or 1991,
but I doubt it).

This is where the confusion begins.  Looking at the photo on page
3 in the General section, the 9 digit number is 091 301 103.
There is an arrow pointing from the "091" on the photo to a label
that says "Manual Transmission Type 091".  I figure this is easy
enough to decipher.  My transmission, however, has a 9 digit code
of 002 301 103.  There is a large (twice the size of the 9 digit
number) number "6" just above it.  Also, the numbers are not cast
in the same positions on the case shown in the photo.  They are
in the same general area, but arranged differently.  All of these
numbers are cast into the case (raised from the surrounding
surface), not stamped in by a rebuilder.

For those of you with transmission experience, is this out of the
ordinary?  Am I being confused by some coincidence in the Bentley
manual where the number of the pictured tranny just happens to
start with the model number?